Epic Games Vaults Precision Air Strike Following Game-Breaking Exploit in Fortnite

Just one day after its highly-anticipated debut in the game’s v37.10 update, Epic Games has officially disabled the new Precision Air Strike item in Fortnite. The powerful and chaotic item was introduced as part of the new Chapter 6 Season 4 loot pool but was quickly taken out of circulation after players discovered a significant exploit that allowed for infinite uses. This rapid decision, while frustrating for players who were enjoying the new weapon, highlights Epic’s commitment to maintaining a fair and balanced competitive environment, even if it means temporarily removing a major new feature.

The Precision Air Strike was added to Fortnite on August 26, 2025, with the v37.10 patch, an update that also introduced a new vehicle, the Hammerhead Choppa, and new collaborative content, including One Punch Man and Gorillaz skins. The item was designed as a single-use consumable that allowed players to call in a devastating barrage of rockets on a targeted area. It quickly became a fan favorite due to its immense power and the strategic chaos it could unleash, particularly in the late stages of a match. However, the excitement was short-lived.

The Game-Breaking Bug That Led to the Vaulting

Within hours of the update going live, players began to report and share a game-breaking bug on social media platforms like Reddit and YouTube. The exploit involved a simple but effective action: after marking an area for the air strike, players could quickly drop the item from their inventory before the air strike began. This action would prevent the item from being consumed, allowing the player to pick it back up and use it again, effectively granting them unlimited air strikes. In a game known for its high-stakes, fast-paced action, an item with infinite uses, especially one as powerful as the Precision Air Strike, could completely dominate a lobby, ruining the experience for others.

One player on Reddit described witnessing the aftermath of the bug, saying they saw a “freaking wasteland at one of the main cities” after someone had used the exploit to bombard the area. Another commented on their own frustrating experience, stating they were “infinitely nuked” and it was “not a good experience.” The bug was also reportedly exposed by several prominent streamers on their live streams, bringing it to the immediate attention of the wider community and, inevitably, the developers at Epic Games.

The problem was compounded by the fact that a weekly quest required players to destroy 25 objects using the Precision Air Strike, making the item a highly sought-after commodity. This led to a situation where players were actively seeking out the glitched item to complete the quest and gain a massive advantage over their opponents, further disrupting the game’s balance.

Epic’s Swift Response and the Road Ahead

In response to the widespread reports and the clear negative impact on gameplay, Epic Games swiftly disabled the Precision Air Strike across all Fortnite Battle Royale modes. An official statement was posted on the Fortnite Status Twitter account and the game’s subreddit, informing the community of the temporary removal and stating they would let players know once the issue was resolved. The weekly quest associated with the item was also temporarily replaced with a new, simpler quest: “Restore 50 Health.”

This isn’t the first time Epic has had to vault a new item shortly after its release due to a bug. The developer has a history of prioritizing game health over the immediate availability of new content. While some players expressed disappointment at not getting to experience the item, most of the community has lauded Epic’s quick response, recognizing that a game-breaking exploit needed to be addressed immediately. The alternative—leaving the item in the game and allowing players to unfairly dominate—would have caused far more damage to the game’s integrity and player satisfaction.

It remains to be seen how long it will take for the Precision Air Strike to return. While some fixes can be implemented quickly through a hotfix, others require more extensive testing to ensure the bug is completely eradicated. The Fortnite community is now in a waiting game, hoping that the powerful air strike will be reintroduced in a balanced, bug-free state soon. For now, players will have to adapt their strategies and continue their quest for a Victory Royale without the ability to rain down explosive chaos from the skies.